Dawlish Community Hospital minor injuries unit to reopen

The unit will provide an appointment-priority service, allowing people to call and book appointments for the same day

A minor injuries unit (MIU) at a hospital in Devon is set to reopen in April, says the NHS.

The MIU will reopen at Dawlish Community Hospital, operating Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 17:00.

The unit will provide an appointment-priority service, allowing people to book appointments for the same day.

Health bosses closed the unit in response to the Covid-19 pandemic due to staffing levels and service demands.

Liz Davenport, chief executive at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It has always been our plan to reopen the service as soon as we were confident we could provide a sustainable service.

"Our teams have worked hard over a long period of time to reach this point.

"We know how much the service means to local people and we would like to apologise once again for the long temporary closure."

The MIU will be open Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 17:00

The NHS said walk-in visitors would also be supported, but appointments would be prioritised - "so people may be redirected".

It said the unit would reopen without X-ray facilities due to "radiology workforce constraints".

Ms Davenport said the trust had followed the model at Totnes Community Hospital's MIU.

"The feedback on the 'appointment-priority' service at the MIU at Totnes Community Hospital has been very positive and has allowed us to deliver a consistent service in that area.

"We are looking forward to bringing this service format to Dawlish Community Hospital and providing an MIU once again," she added.